We are pleased to welcome two new faculty members whose teaching and research will strengthen our language programs and student experience.
María Laura Mecías holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics and specializes in second-language and heritage-language acquisition. Her research centers on Spanish pedagogy and vocabulary development for multilingual learners, with a focus on learner-centered methods like project-based and content-based instruction, often enhanced by educational technology. She currently coordinates SPN 1130: Everyday Spanish for Everyday Moments, mentoring new graduate instructors and supporting their growth as effective teachers. As professor of Spanish for Healthcare Professionals (SPN 3036), she works to close communication gaps in clinical settings; she is a certified Spanish–English interpreter and an active volunteer with UF’s Equal Access Clinics Language Access group. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, trail running and gardening—and, as a mom and spouse, planning the next family adventure.
Philip Allen is a lecturer of Spanish and the coordinator for SPN 2200, SPN 2201, and SPN 2240. He earned a B.A. in Spanish (Western Kentucky University, 2011), an M.A. in Spanish Literatures and Cultures (University of South Florida, 2015), and a Ph.D. in Spanish Literatures and Cultures (University of Florida, 2019). In his courses, Allen designs high-impact learning experiences that use emerging technologies—including AI and open educational resources—and authentic media from Spanish-speaking creators to drive engagement across proficiency levels. He is exploring ways to harness AI to build materials that are informative, proficiency-based, and accessible. Beyond campus, he enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and time at the beach.